U.S. patent application number 11/762171 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-18 for viewing system for augmented reality head mounted display.
Invention is credited to Anthony Vitale.
Application Number | 20080309586 11/762171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40131802 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080309586 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vitale; Anthony |
December 18, 2008 |
Viewing System for Augmented Reality Head Mounted Display
Abstract
The viewing system is a head mount display (eye glasses,
goggles, head piece or helmet) with emitters on the user's nose
bridge emitting an optical image towards reflector screens a
predetermined distance from the user's cornea or eye. Each emitter
unit is fed with a signal forming the optical image and, in one
embodiment, the emitter unit has a plurality of emitters
semi-hemispherically mounted to direct light towards the reflector
screen. In one embodiment, each reflector screen is a
semi-hemispherical reflector with a plurality of discrete
reflection surfaces, each at a discrete angle for directing light
into the user's eye. In another, the reflector screen is an ellipse
and the reflection surface does not have discrete reflection
surfaces or facets. Contacts may magnify the optical image.
Inventors: |
Vitale; Anthony; (Bay Harbor
Island, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT C. KAIN, JR.
750 SOUTHEAST THIRD AVENUE, SUITE 100
FT LAUDERDALE
FL
333161153
US
|
Family ID: |
40131802 |
Appl. No.: |
11/762171 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 5/18 20130101; G02B
27/0172 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/8 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. A viewing system for a head mounted display worn by a user and
mounted on or about the bridge of the user's nose a predetermined
distance beyond the user's eyes, said viewing system supplied with
image signals from an image generator comprising: a pair of emitter
units pointed at a corresponding pair of reflector screens which
direct optical images into respective opposite ones of said user's
eyes; a head mount worn by said user which spatially mounts each
emitter unit a predetermined distance away from the corresponding
reflector screen and spatially mounts each reflector screen a
further predetermined distance away from the corresponding user
eye; each emitter unit coupled to said image generator via a signal
line, each emitter having a plurality of emitters configured
semi-hemispherically to emit said optical image substantially
radially towards said corresponding reflector screen; and each
reflector screen being a semi-hemispherical reflector with a
plurality of discrete reflection surfaces, each discrete reflection
surface reflecting said optical image at a discrete angle to direct
said optical image from said emitter unit into said user's eye.
2. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 including a pair of eye
contacts worn on said user's eyes which eye contact magnify said
optical image directed thereon by said pair of emitters and said
pair of reflecting screens.
3. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said
semi-hemispherical emitter unit has a proximal region near the
corresponding user eye and a distal region away from said
corresponding user eye, said plurality of emitters in each emitter
unit have a respective plurality of emission surfaces which vary in
size and wherein larger emission surfaces are disposed on said
proximal region nearer said corresponding user eye and smaller
emission surfaces are disposed on said distal region.
4. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said
discrete reflection surface is a reflective surface from the group
of reflective surfaces including a flat surface, concave surface
and a reflective grating surface.
5. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said
discrete reflection surface has a shape from the group of shapes
including a circular shape, a truncated circular shape, a tear drop
shape, an ellipsoidal shape, and a truncated ellipsoidal shape.
6. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pair of
reflector screens permit ambient light and images to pass
therethrough into said user's eyes.
7. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said head mount
is a pair of spectacles worn by said user.
8. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said head mount
is one of a helmet, hat or head piece worn by said user.
9. A viewing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said each contact
of said pair of eye contacts has a central region which magnifies
said optical image.
10. A viewing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said each
contact of said pair of eye contacts has a successively larger
annular regions wherein each annular region uses the same
magnification for said optical image.
11. A viewing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said each
contact of said pair of eye contacts has an outboard region away
from the user's nose wherein said outboard region of each contact
magnifies said optical image.
12. A viewing system for a head mounted display worn by a user and
mounted on or about the bridge of the user's nose a predetermined
distance beyond the user's eyes, said viewing system supplied with
image signals from an image generator comprising: a pair of emitter
units pointed at a corresponding pair of reflector screens which
direct optical images into respective opposite ones of said user's
eyes; a head mount worn by said user which spatially mounts each
emitter unit a predetermined distance away from the corresponding
reflector screen and spatially mounts each reflector screen a
further predetermined distance away from the corresponding user
eye; each emitter unit coupled to said image generator via a signal
line, each emitter having a plurality of emitters configured
semi-hemispherically to emit said optical image substantially
radially towards said corresponding reflector screen; and each
reflector screen being a semi-spherical ellipsoid reflector with a
reflection surface which angularly reflects said optical image from
said emitter unit towards and into said user's eye.
13. A viewing system as claimed in claim 12 including a pair of eye
contacts worn on said user's eyes which eye contact magnify said
optical image directed thereon by said pair of emitters and said
pair of reflecting screens.
14. A viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said
semi-hemispherical emitter unit has a proximal region near the
corresponding user eye and a distal region away from said
corresponding user eye, said plurality of emitters in each emitter
unit have a respective plurality of emission surfaces which vary in
size and wherein larger emission surfaces are disposed on said
proximal region nearer said corresponding user eye and smaller
emission surfaces are disposed on said distal region.
15. A viewing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said pair of
reflector screens permit ambient light and images to pass
therethrough into said user's eyes.
16. A viewing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said head mount
is a pair of spectacles worn by said user.
17. A viewing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said head mount
is one of a helmet, hat or head piece worn by said user.
18. A viewing system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said each
contact of said pair of eye contacts has a central region which
magnifies said optical image.
19. A viewing system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said each
contact of said pair of eye contacts has a successively larger
annular regions wherein each successive annular region has the same
magnification for said optical image.
20. A viewing system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said each
contact of said pair of eye contacts has an outboard region away
from the user's nose wherein said outboard region of each contact
magnifies said optical image.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a viewing system,
configured as glasses, goggles, head piece or a helmet, wherein
optical images are projected from nose bridge emitter units towards
reflective screens (on the inboard surfaces of the glasses, goggles
or helmet eye shield) which direct the optical image into
respective eyes of the user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Development of virtual retina display technology or VRI) has
been investigated by the Navy and at the Human Interface Technology
Lab of Washington University. Microvision, of Redmond Wash.,
manufactures a see through heads up display that overlays computer
based information over real world images permitting the operator
hands free, head up access to digital information at any time and
anywhere.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
viewing system for an augmented reality head mounted display.
[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
pair of emitter units removably mounted effectively on the bridge
of a user's nose, which emitters point to reflector screens
configured as goggles, eye glasses or screens depending from a head
piece or helmet, which reflector screens reflect the optical image
transmitted by the emitter unit onto the eye of the user.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
the user with magnifying contact lenses to improve the optical
image size.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide
reflective surfaces with either a flat surface, concave surface or
a diffraction grating surface and wherein, in certain embodiments,
these reflective surfaces are a plurality of surfaces, each surface
having a discrete reflection angle.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
reflective screens which are semi-spherical ellipsoid reflectors
which eliminate the plurality of discrete reflection surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The viewing system for a head mount display is worn by a
user and is mounted on or about the bridge of a user's nose such
that emitters are a predetermined distance away from reflector
screens which direct optical images into respective ones of the
user's eyes. The head mount (eye glasses, goggles, head piece or
helmet) specially mounts each emitter unit, left and right for the
left and right eyes respectively, a predetermined distance away
from a corresponding reflector screen. Each emitter unit is coupled
to an image generator via a signal line. An optical image is
emitted from the emitter unit. In one embodiment, the emitter unit
has a plurality of emitters configured in a semi-hemispherical
manner to emit an optical image substantially radially towards the
corresponding reflector screen. In one embodiment, each reflector
screen is a semi-hemispherical reflector with a plurality of
discrete reflection surfaces. Each discrete reflection surface
reflects a portion of the optical image at a discrete angle such
that the optical image from the emitter unit is directed into the
user's eye. In another embodiment, the reflector screen is an
ellipse and the reflection surface need not have discrete
reflection surfaces or facets since the ellipsoid reflector is
positioned such that one focii of the ellipse is at the radial
center point of the emitters and the other focii of the ellipse is
at either the cornea of the eye or at the optical center of the
eye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Further objects and advantages of the present invention can
be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the user's eyes, the
emitters and the reflector screens;
[0011] FIGS. 2A and 2B diagrammatically illustrate the reflector
screens and emitter units mounted on glasses or goggles and
diagrammatically illustrate a helmet or head piece with depending
reflector screens (eye shields);
[0012] FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the optical operation of
the system;
[0013] FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the technique for
focusing collimated light;
[0014] FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the plurality of emitter
units on the semi-hemispherical emitter unit;
[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B diagrammatically illustrate emitter unit and
discrete reflection surfaces from the reflector;
[0016] FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates one configuration for
the discrete reflector surfaces on the reflector screen;
[0017] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C diagrammatically illustrate shallow
concave reflection surfaces for the plurality of discrete
reflection surfaces in the reflector, a different shape for those
discrete reflection surfaces (tear drop shape) and a diffraction
grating used for the reflection surfaces;
[0018] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C diagrammatically illustrate contacts
worn by the user to magnify the image projected by emitters and
reflected from the reflector screens;
[0019] FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 diagrammatically illustrate the light
reflection principles of an ellipsoid, one reflective surface
configured as a semi-spherical ellipsoid, and a second reflective
surface configured as ellipsoid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The present invention relates to a viewing system for head
mounted display worn by a user and mounted on and about the bridge
of a user's nose with reflector screens mounted on the user's head
via glasses or head mount helmet or cap.
[0021] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a user's left eye 10 and
right eye 12 as well as the nose bridge 14 of the user. FIG. 1
diagrammatically illustrates the viewing system which includes a
pair of emitter units which are mounted on or about the bridge of
nose 14 and a pair of reflector screens, each screen corresponding
to a certain emitter unit. Similar numerals designate similar items
throughout the drawings. Only one emitter-reflector screen system
is described in detail. Persons of ordinary skills in the art
recognize that the opposite side emitter-reflector system is
substantially similar.
[0022] In FIG. 1, a semi-hemispherical emitter unit 16 is mounted
on or near the bridge of nose 14. Emitter unit 16 has a plurality
of emitters therein which effectively generate an optical image
through center point 18. This optical image is projected radially
onto a specially configured reflector screen 20. Due to the
reflection of the inboard side 21 of reflector screen 20, the
optical image is then directed or reflected into user eye 10. In
order to magnify the image, the user may employ magnifying contacts
22.
[0023] FIG. 2A shows spectacles (eye glasses) or goggles 30 and the
back side 17 of emitter unit 16. A goggle nose bridge 32 is adopted
to rest on nose bridge 14 of the user. Emitter backside 17 may also
rest on the user's nose. The inboard reflective surface 21 of
reflector screen 20 is shown. In order to transfer signals
representing the optical image to the pair of emitter units 16,
goggle or spectacle 30 includes, in the illustrated embodiment,
signal line 34. A removable coupling 36 permits the user to attach
and detach signal line 34 to the glasses or helmet. Of course,
further portions of signal line 34 extend through arm 38 (or the
helmet) to both emitter units 16. An image generator 40 generates
an image which is applied to signal line 34. In one embodiment, an
optical image is generated by image generator 40 and this optical
image is carried by fiber optics in signal line 34. Alternatively,
the emitter units 16 may be electronic light generators such as
LEDs or other light emitting elements and electronic signals could
be carried by signal line 34. In this situation, image generator 40
generates electronic signals which correspond to the image.
[0024] FIG. 2B shows a head piece or helmet 42 which is mounted on
the head of the user such that the optical image from emitter units
16 is projected to a depending reflector screen 20 and then
redirected to the eye of the user. The left and right screens drop
below the front edge of the helmet and may act as eye shields. The
emitters also depend from the helmet and rest on or near the user's
nose bridge. Optical fibers in signal line 34 may reduce electrical
noise and unwanted radiation which maybe generated by electrical
light emitters 16.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows that radial light rays leave light emitter unit
16 and are reflected back to the eye by the reflector screen, that
is, rays a, b, and c are optically processed at the end of the
emitters and are reflected back into eye 10. The inboard surface 21
of reflector screen 20 includes a plurality of discrete reflection
surfaces each having a discrete angle to direct the optical image
from the emitter unit into the user's eye. Therefore, in the
expanded view in the upper left of FIG. 3, inboard surface 21 has a
plurality of discrete reflection surfaces, one of which is surface
46, wherein optical image ray d strikes discrete reflective surface
46 and the angle of incidence and the angle of reflectance results
in ray C being directed into the eye 10 of the user. FIG. 3 shows
that the pair of emitter units 16 are placed a predetermined
distance from the user's eye (distance from the centerline of the
nose) when taking into account the distance between radial
centerpoint 18 of emitter 16 and the reflection of the light
towards eye 10. In this embodiment, eye 10 has an optical
centerpoint 50 that falls on line 51 defined by the forward edge of
semi-hemispherical emitter unit 16. Calculations indicate that
there is a reasonable common interpupillary distance or IP for most
users. Further, the distance from the user's cornea or the contact
lens on the cornea to the hemispheric reflective surface, that is,
along the optical centerline of the eye--reflective surface
combination, is approximately 25.4 mm (essentially, the distance
from the bifocal magnifying lens 22 to the reflective surface). It
has been observed that line 51 identifies the typical maximum angle
of rotative movement of eye 10. Therefore, the user either would
not see emitter unit 16 on his or her nose bridge or would only see
a very small portion thereof. In one embodiment, emitter 16 has
light transmitters of the same size. In another embodiment, the
size of the emitter surfaces varies.
[0026] FIG. 4 diagrammatically shows that collimated light, when
reflected from reflective surface 21, can be directed to a singular
point. That singular point is preferably at or immediately below
the cornea of the user's eye. In one embodiment, it is believed
that the semi-hemispherical emitter 16 must have a plurality of
emitter units having different sizes. In another embodiment, the
emitters have the same size or radii generating the optical
image.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows emitter 16 having a plurality of discrete
emitters 52, 54, 56 that have a progressively smaller size along an
arc from the inboard edge of the semi-hemispherical emitter body
near the eyeball to the outer hemispherical edge distal from the
eye. The size change of the emitter surfaces, from proximal to
distal positions, is shown in FIG. 5. One emitter surface is
emitter surface 52a. The change in emitter radii is not a constant
change in radius. Further, the semi-hemispherical emitter unit 16
itself forms a concave projector wherein the emitter surface or
light projection emitting pixels (surface 52a) are smaller on
outboard side 62 as compared with inboard side 64. Inboard or
proximal side 64 is nearer to the eye as shown by side 64 in FIG.
3. Side 62 is outboard or distal with respect to eye 10. The
different sizes of the emitters compensate for the longer distances
traveled by rays c (FIG. 3) as compared to short distance rays
a.
[0028] The distance from the cornea of eye 10 to the outboard edge
of reflective surface 20 is approximately 25.4 mm. This is distance
e in FIG. 3.
[0029] FIG. 6A shows a portion of emitter unit 16 and particularly
emitters 52, 54 and 56. These emitters may have emitting surfaces
tightly packed on the concave unit 16. Each emitter may have,
mounted thereon, an optical lens, one of which is lens 66 on
emitter 52. Faceplates may be used also (see faceplates
manufactured by Schott of Germany). By having different faceplates
or lenses 66, 67, 68, it may be possible to have a uniform set of
emitters (same radii) on emitter unit 16 and vary the type or
degree of image magnification or diffusion via lenses 66, 67, 68.
Alternatively, or in addition to, lenses 66, 67, 68 may be
cylinders which further collimate the light directed to reflector
screen 21. It's beneficial that the light be collimated as much as
possible in order to correctly optically transmit the image into
eye 10.
[0030] FIGS. 7 and 8A-8C diagrammatically show different shapes of
the reflective surfaces 46 on the reflector screen. Reflective
surface or facet 46 is at an appropriate or predetermined angle
such that reflective surface edge face 70 is aligned or in line
with imaginary line 72 which is parallel to incoming optical rays b
(FIG. 3) from emitter 16 and the reflective surface transmits the
light into the eye. In this manner, most of the optical image ray b
is reflected from reflection surface 46 and only a small amount is
reflected or deflected due to the edge face 70.
[0031] FIG. 8A shows that reflection surface 46 maybe generally
circular (the overall shape in the reflector plate). Optionally,
the reflective surface may be planar or may have a slightly concave
shape which shape redirects and focuses light back into eye 10.
FIG. 8B shows that reflective surface 46 in the reflector plate
plane may be tear drop shaped. The packing ratio of the reflective
surfaces can be designed by a computer. FIG. 8C shows that
reflective surface 46 may include a diffraction grating.
[0032] In order to magnify the optical image, each of the user's
eyes may wear a contact 22. Dependent upon the optical processing
of the optical image by the system as a whole, the user may or may
not wear contact lenses to magnify the optical image. The contacts
may be full field of view magnifiers or partial view magnification.
One partial view contact with a central region 76 magnification
(about plus 15.5 diopter) and a clear or zero magnification in
peripheral region 78 (see FIG. 9A). Another partial view
magnification is lenses 80, 81 have outboard peripheral regions g,
h in FIG. 9B which have a magnification plus 15.5 diopters. The
inboard regions are zero diopters. Contact lenses 82, 84 in FIG. 9C
have a plurality of annular rings wherein each annular ring has the
same magnification power. The preferred embodiment of an ellipsoid
(FIG. 12) may use a contact with magnification in central region 76
(about +22 diopter).
[0033] FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 diagrammatically show the optical
performance of a semi-spherical ellipsoid as a reflective screen.
FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows an ellipsoid with focii at points m
and n. The distance of line nq plus qm is the same as the distance
of combined line np plus pm. Therefore, in FIG. 11, light emitted
from emitter unit 16 and effectively from center point 18 of
emitter unit 16 follows path t or path s which paths both traverse
the same distance into eye 10. In this embodiment, the focal point
of the rays from reflection points t or s are directed at focal
point 90. Focal point 90 is at or very close to the cornea 92 of
eye 10. The focii of reflector screen is 18 and 90. This
semi-spherical ellipsoid position (FIG. 11) generally permits only
straight on vision. In other words, to achieve the augmented visual
experience, the user must look straight forward and not side to
side. Reflective screen 86 has an ellipsoid surface which is
semi-spherical 88.
[0034] FIG. 12 shows the semi-spherical ellipsoid surface 88 where
the distance traveled by w optic ray or u optic ray is focused to
eye center point 50. Eye centerpoint 50 is one of the focii of the
ellipsoid. In this manner, when eye 10 rotates as shown by the
dashed line v, the optical image is directed into the interior of
the eye.
[0035] The reflective screens do not block inboard directed or
ambient light. Therefore, this inboard directed ambient light mixes
optically with the emitted-reflected light and the combination
forms an augmented reality for the user. The reflector may be
characterized as a thin screen such that non-reflected emitter rays
traversing the reflector plate are minimal.
[0036] The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications
and changes within the scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *